Clinical Music Assistant Professor - Director, NYU Music and Social Change Lab

Carlos Chirinos’ work explores innovation and creativity in emerging global music industries, looking at the role of music in public health, international development and social change. He has been a key consultant for radio and music projects in Europe, Africa and Japan, with funding from the World Bank, USAID, IDRC, the Wellcome Trust and Toyota Foundation. He was awarded the Director’s Teaching Prize at SOAS, University of London in 2009.

Carlos received an award from the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Department of Defense, and USAID, to develop Africa Stop Ebola, a global music campaign to raise awareness about Ebola in West Africa that was featured in the New York Times, The Guardian, BBC and CNN.

Currently, Professor Chirinos collaborates with the David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center, curating music performances to engage the Latin community living in New York City. He is also involved in projects in the UK, Tanzania, Cuba and other countries, looking at the role of music industries in economic development, tourism and social entrepreneurship.

Born in Caracas, Venezuela, he studied clarinet and saxophone before relocating to London, UK to work as International Business Development Manager for an independent South American record label. He was the founder of SOAS Radio, a digital radio station at SOAS, University of London, where he was a professor in the departments of Music, and Development Studies. Carlos is also a composer, producer and performer.

Education

BA/MA Anthropology (Venezuela)

MMus Ethnomusicology, SOAS, University of London

PhD Development Studies candidate, University of London (UK)

Experience

15 years in music industry roles, first managing his own Jazz and Latin bands in Caracas then as Business Development Manager for Europe and Asia for Latin World in London (UK); mentor and consultant to artists including Grammy Award winner David Murray and chart-topper act Labrinth (UK). Researcher and consultant on music, radio and creative industries in Africa, Lecturer in World Music, Radio and Development Communication in the Departments of Music and Development Studies at SOAS (London). Innovation in classes by using participatory lectures, peer-based learning and experience in managing industry-focused internship programs for professional development.

Presentations

The Making of a Healthy City: Exploring the role of music in improving community engagement for public health. Music Cities Convention, University of Brighton, United Kingdom. 18th May 2016.

The Latin Music industry, an overview of the global music industry and the opportunities and challenges for artists and music entrepreneurs. Manana Festival, Santiago de Cuba, May 6th, 2016.

Music, Communication and Health: Education Entertainment in unexpected disease outbreaks. 2016 Communication Course for Global Epidemics/Outbreaks. New York University College of Global Public Health and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). ­April 3rd, 2016

Women in Music: Exploring opportunities and challenges for Women in the Music Industry. Panel organizer and chair. Supported by the Steinhardt Dean for Faculty Development and Diversity and the NYU Vice Provost for Faculty, Arts, Humanities and Diversity. March 4th, 2016.

Using Music in Behavior Change Communication for Community Engagement and Social Mobilization for Disease Control. NYU College of Global Public Health. February 25th, 2016.

Africa Stop Ebola: Presentation of Results. World Radio Day Conference, SOAS University of London. February 15th 2016.

Smart Touring: Harnessing the Intrinsic Value of Live Performances. Panel Chair. Music Business Networking Event, NYU. 13th November 2015.

Presentation of Innovations: Ebola Grand Challenge Award. White House, Eissenhouer Building. Hosted by the White House Office of Technology and Innovation and USAID. April 4th 2015.

World Radio Day 2015. Panel Organizer and Chair. SOAS, University of London/UNESCO. 15th February 2015.

Presentation of Africa Stop Ebola at the Forum on Communication for Development and Community Media for Family Farming. FAO, Rome. 23rd October 2014.

Radio, Youth and Social Change: innovation and creativity in communicating Social Change through Radio and Music. Voice and Choice Conference. Orecomm, Malmo University, Sweden. Malmo, 19th September 2014

Music and Radio in Development: engaging indigenous peoples in participatory development through technology, creativity and social enterprise. HASTAC Humanities, Arts, Science, and Technology Alliance and Collaboratory. Organised by the University of Illinois, the Organization of American States and the Ministry of Culture in Lima, Perú. Ministry of Culture, Lima, Perú. 27th – 30th April 2014

Global Consultation, UNICEF Communication for Development strategy 2015-2019. UNICEF, New York. 26th and 27th February 2014

World Radio Day, Innovations in the use of Radio in achieving results for women and children. UNICEF Headquarters, New York. 13th February 2014

Social Enterprise, student experience and the challenges of reaching an international audience. Seminar at Meiji University, Tokyo, Japan, 20th September 2012. Published by Meiji University, Tokyo, 2013.

Development Communication Theory and Practice. The Communication for Development Network and UNICEF. Westminster University, March 2013.

Music, Radio and the Millennium Development Goals. Muscat World Youth Summit, Oman, 6th December 2011. Organised by UNESCO, the Ministry of Education of the Sultanate of Oman and the Commonwealth Secretariat.

Music and Politics in Africa: a conversation with Seun Kuti, Stephen Chan and Lucy Duran at SOAS, University of London. 1st November 2011. Organised by the Centre of African Studies and SOAS Radio

The role of Radio and New Technologies in revitalizing Minority Languages. Presented at the VII Jornadas de Linguistica e Radiodifusao. Maputo, Mozambique, 29th September 2011. Funders: Cooperacao Austriaca para o Desenvolvimento, UNESCO, Radio Mozambique.

Media, Health and Development Presented at the Health for Development in Africa Residential School. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, July 2011. Mo Ibrahim Foundation, SOAS.

Courses Taught

Music Innovation and Social Change. MPAMB-GE 2208-001 (Fall)

Artists and Repertoire (A&R) Seminar. MPAMB-GE 2201-001 (Fall)

Village Records: Practicum in the Recorded Music Industry MPAMB-UE 1310-001 (Fall and Spring)